Health insurance companies can no longer turn away people with medical problems, but the Obama administration isn't taking any chances with thousands of vulnerable patients in a special federal program.
The administration announced Tuesday it is granting a two-month extension for the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. The temporary program was supposed to disappear Jan. 1, when guaranteed coverage for people with medical problems became the law of the land.
It's the second time the program has been extended. Technical problems with HealthCare.gov previously forced a one-month extension through Jan. 31.
The administration now says some people still in the plan may need additional time to find new coverage. The program will continue to run through the remainder of the health care law's first open enrollment season, which ends March 31.
© Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.